Enhancing Health and Wellness with Water Features

While health and wellness have been a top priority for commercial property stakeholders for the last four years, demand for amenities that promote well-being has been strong for much longer and continues to rise. 

According to a recent McKinsey report, the wellness market is booming as consumers intend to keep spending more on products that improve their health, fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness. In fact, wellness is now a $1.5 trillion market globally, growing at a clip of 5 to 10 percent each year. 

With so much emphasis on health and wellness, it’s worth noting that amenities like water features at commercial properties can truly benefit people’s well-being in multiple ways. In addition to improving aesthetics, attracting visitors and adding value, incorporating fountains and other types of water features into an asset can help individuals achieve their wellness goals in a society that increasingly challenges our ability to be healthy. 

Physical 

Being around water tends to have a positive impact on our physical health. Areas with water – also called “blue spaces” – encourage exercise like walking, swimming, paddleboarding, and waterskiing, and can even help prevent heart disease by facilitating social activities that get people moving. 

Being around water features can have a similar effect. A beautiful fountain at a commercial property can draw in walkers and bikers seeking an attractive destination to visit or even a place to rest during or after their exercise session. The calming waves and jets promote relaxation, potentially leading to reduced blood pressure and better overall physical health. 

We have seen this effect time and again at projects like San Diego’s Waterfront Park, where our team helped deliver an 830-foot-long fountain and children’s splash area. In addition to delighting San Diego residents and visitors from miles around, the water feature sparks physical activity and play for people of all ages, especially during the summer months when the warm weather brings everyone outdoors. 

Mental 

There’s no denying the mental benefits water has on human beings as well. Blue spaces beget “blue mind,” a phenomenon that demonstrates the deep connection between humans and water, leading to many cognitive and emotional advantages such as a calmer disposition and better mood. In fact, according to Blueminding, “Scientists have known for years that the atmosphere at a beach, on the ocean or near moving water contains elevated levels of negatively charged ions. These ions cause the brain to release mood-enhancing serotonin and to reduce blood lactate levels, lowering stress.” 

Because of this phenomenon, taking a break near a fountain could be just what people need to recharge during the workday, leading to better health and increased productivity. A great example is the magnificent mustang water feature our team refurbished at The Towers at Williams Square, a mixed-use master-planned community in Irving, Texas featuring three tall glass-encased premier office buildings surrounding a pink granite plaza. The horses appear to be galloping through the water, presenting an outstanding new space for the office towers’ tenants, Irving residents, and visitors to enjoy all year round as a break from their daily routines. 

As health and wellness continues to be a priority for individuals, commercial property owners and operators are increasingly discovering the value of installing water features at their assets to promote physical and mental well-being. Incorporating fountains into a variety of spaces can benefit owners and help people feel noticeably better in many ways.